Social Security

Congrats to three SWWW attorneys for being appointed to serve on special or program committees for the State Bar of Georgia. From the court system to the classrom, we know you will work hard to make a positive impact.

In our blog, we aim to answer questions in a way that's helpful and easy to understand. We've addressed many topics - from the details of real estate contracts to title insurance - but today I'd like to answer a basic question: Who is a lawyer?

I don't mean that in an abstract sense. According to state and federal law, there is a very specific definition associated with practicing law, and it is unlawful for any corporation, association, company or person to perform acts defined as "practicing law" if not a licensed attorney. In addition to being unlawful, people or corporations who are not licensed to practice law put their clients at risk.

According to Georgia law, the practice of law includes but is not limited to any of the following:

Giving legal advice

Preparing legal instruments

Rendering opinions on the validity or invalidity of titles to real or personal property .Read more . . .

As an experienced attorney who has helped many people in the Stockbridge, Georgia area with Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI), I can advise that it can take months (even or years) between the time SSDI applicants submit their first application and actually start receiving payments. But SSDI recognizes that some medical conditions are so serious that applicants need to skip the usual process and start receiving assistance as soon as possible. These special exceptions are called “Compassionate Allowances,” and medical conditions that are eligible for Compassionate Allowances include types of rare diseases, aggressive cancers, traumatic brain injuries and strokes. Having a medical condition that qualifies as a “Compassionate Allowance” does not mean you are eligible for a separate program, but it does qualify for a fast track through the SSDI or Supplemental Security Income process. And like traditional SSDI applications, applicants still need to provide objective medical information that supports their claim.Read more . . .

As an experienced attorney practicing in the Stockbridge, Georgia area, I know that applying for Social Security Disability Insurance payments (SSDI) can be intimidating, especially if you are already faced with a serious medical condition. I have helped many Georgians successfully compile their SSDI applications over the years, and wanted to provide some general information and helpful tips that will break down the application process into more manageable tasks.

First, a little information about the process: SSDI only makes payments to those who suffer from total disability (For details about how SS defines total disability, see my blog post entitled “Who is eligible for Social Security Disability?”). If you do suffer from a severe medical condition or disability that prevents you from being able to work, then you should move forward with filing for SSDI benefits with the Social Security Administration (SSA). It’s helpful to know that although you will file your application with the SSA and SSDI is a federal program, it is actually the Disability Adjudication Services (DAS) that decides whether Georgians are granted SSDI benefits.Read more . . .

As an attorney serving clients in the Stockbridge, Georgia area, it has been my experience that while people may have a general idea about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), most are not entirely sure who is eligible receive SSDI benefits. Here are some guidelines about who is eligible for SSDI benefits, and how we can help:

First, it’s important to know that Social Security only pays out for total disability. People with partial disability or for short-term disability are not eligible for SSDI payments.

Social Security defines “disabled” as the inability to work. Someone is considered disabled under Social Security if he or she:

cannot continue to do the same work that he or she did before

cannot adjust to other work because of a medical condition(s)

has a disability that has lasted (or is expected to last) for more than one year, or to result in death.Read more . . .

Smith Welch Webb & White serve clients throughout the south metro Atlanta area including but not limited to McDonough, Stockbridge, DeKalb County, Clayton County, Henry County, Peach County, Jonesboro, Spalding County, Butts County, and Lamar County.